2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire Launch Review

The new Harley-Davidson LiveWire proves once and for all that you don’t need the loudest voice to make a statement.

For over a century, Harley-Davidson has made its presence known around world with the kind of extroverted, chest-thumping bravado that has resonated with a select, but loyal following. The path of the Milwaukee marque has been unwavering, often to its own detriment.

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Enter the new LiveWire. Developed in-house by Harley’s own engineers, this new electric bike is evidence that Harley wants to break new ground. If you speak with HD officials, they’re comparing this brave new charter with the original one embarked on by their forebears: wedging an internal combustion engine into a bicycle way back in the early 1900s.

The LiveWire project started back 2014, and has been the subject of thousands of hours in development, huge infrastructure investment and testing. It is produced on the same Pennsylvania production line as various other Harley models, and is the first of a projected wave of new electric models.

Like you, we were armed with questions upon looking over the LiveWire in person for the first time locally this month. So without further ado:

The LiveWire costs $49,990 ride-away in Australia.

Its 15.5kWh battery offers 235km of claimed range in urban riding, or 158km worth of range in stop-and-go riding. It takes 12.5 hours for a full charge on a household powerpoint, or can be charged in 60 minutes from a DC public fast-charger device.

The LiveWire performs the 0-100km/h dash in 3.0 seconds and has a top speed of 177km.

So, then, that’s the LiveWire by the numbers. Let’s examine how it fares on the road.

Good vibrations

Our first taste of the LiveWire this month is a half-day ride in mostly urban surroundings, venturing from Harley’s Sydney HQ south to Cronulla – all told, about a 110km round trip.

Subjectively, the LiveWire looks great. A striking, decidedly sporty profile, punctuated by its LED headlight, sculpted lines and angles. There’s a lot going on in terms of surface treatments and materials, but the relatively stubby (for a Harley) 1490mm wheelbase lends it a taut, raked street presence.

HD devotees will still feel at home with the switchgear, the belt-drive drivetrain, and the attention to detail and quality commensurate with a regular Harley. You certainly get what you pay for in that regard.

Cradled within the aluminium cast frame, the 108kg Samsung-built battery presents neatly, despite its water jacket cooling system and advanced tech. The rear Showa BFRC fully-adjustable shock connects to the rear of the battery and the swingarm, in essence allowing the big black brick to be an integral part of the chassis.

Similarly, the electrical guff is sandwiched neatly under what would conventionally be the petrol tank, out of sight. In fact, aside from one short visible length of orange cable underneath the left side of the seat, there’s little to feast your eyes upon electrically.

The LiveWire’s charging point has also been cleverly integrated into a faux filler cap. It is compatible with Level 1 (household) or Level 3 (DC) charging systems. Level 2 charging equipment can be used, however it only charges at Level 1 throughput.

Ride time

With the side-mounted key-starter turned, we settle onto the LiveWire’s relatively firm seat, flick the ignition on and depress its starter button. Two green bars either side of the 4.3-inch TFT colour display illuminate, and pronto, we’re now cooking with gas…so to speak.

The riding position is decidedly upright, with tall handlebars and an easy view of the mirrors. A six-foot rider will feel right at home with the 780mm seat height, but the relatively close foot peg to seat ratio can become a sore point after a few hours in the saddle. Similarly, the tiny pillion seat (sans grab rails) is only really suitable for the short, occasional two-up.

It goes without saying enthusiasts aren’t going to mistake the LiveWire for the visceral, blood-pumping theatre of a regular Harley. But there’s plenty of novelty factor at play: the electric motor pulses at a standstill, channelling an engine at idle speed to let you know the electric internals are still running. It has no clutch lever or gear shifter and it makes a light whirring noise upon rolling and a shrill, pitched sound under acceleration – but otherwise operates in silence.

The more foreign element of riding the LiveWire is its sheer engine braking – or, more accurately, regenerative braking. In the most aggressive form of regeneration, Range Mode (one of seven riding modes, three of them configurable), the LiveWire takes care of the bulk of braking itself as kinetic energy is captured from the rear wheel. Flick the ride mode to Road, and the LiveWire runs more freely and naturally.

Happily, twisting the throttle results in the smooth, tractable power band that will resonate with traditional and new Harley owners alike. It’s true that electric bikes provide 100 per cent of torque in an instant, but the LiveWire is able to dole out its surfeit of charged riches in a nice, accessible manner, too, which is the real sweetener.

The LiveWire gets up to speed effortlessly, zips around traffic with terrific immediacy and happily glides along at highway speeds, with or without use of the cruise control feature. Along with its headline 3.0 second official nought to 100km/h claim, the LiveWire can dash from 100km/h to 130km/h in a claimed 1.9 seconds. At road-legal speeds, the drivetrain never runs out of puff, and during our stint, didn’t call into action the bike’s anti-wheelie or stability control software either.

Similarly, slinking the LiveWire’s 830mm-wide girth through congested traffic is a cinch; it’s an easy bike to keep balanced stationary while waiting for a light to turn green and the powerful four-piston Brembo front brakes feel nicely modulated, washing off speed comfortably.

Suspension compliance is a tad firmer than we’d expected; controlled over pitter-patter bumps but with a tendency to crash over harsh imperfections. That said, our test bike is tuned for a 100kg rider – your humble correspondent tips the scales fully geared at about 80kg – and the Showa units front and rear offer a strong degree of adjustability, so it would presumably be a matter of tuning.

That brings us to the next point: weight. The LiveWire weighs 251kg, which is comparable Sportster heft. The sweetener is the LiveWire carries its weight much lower in the frame. With no fuel splashing around the tank or engine inertia to contend with, the translation is remarkably smooth and positive turn-in response which in turn cultivates rider confidence.

Before long, we have the LiveWire confidently sweeping through long bends or tightening-radius corners effortlessly. Quick changes in direction are also easily facilitated, the LiveWire flicking from side to side as its Harley Davidson-branded Michelin Scorcher Sport rubber provides strong adhesion levels.

Mid-corner bumpers upset the bike’s sport-minded balance momentarily, but the recovery is always swift and underlined by a strong safety suite; again, suspension set-up would help the situation markedly, we reckon.

Taking charge

For what it’s worth, Harley’s claim of a 235km range in conservative conditions seem pretty plausible.

Having completed our circa 110km loop (which wasn’t short of full-throttle, laugh out loud blasts either), we roll back into HD HQ with 48 per cent of battery power remaining. While that will concern some riders, and poses an issue for those planning big regional trips, it’s not that far removed from a regular naked bike’s petrol range.

A two-year included roadside assistance package goes some way in mitigating the dreaded range anxiety, ditto cheaper servicing courtesy of the Livewire’s fewer moving parts.

The bigger issue for the LiveWire is its price. At $50,000, it’s nearly double the cost of some of Harley’s most popular models, and while it does provide a unique and statement-making experience, we’re not quite sure it’s twice the bike. Especially not for a devoted HD fan, anyway.

Clearly, some Harley owners disagree, with about 50 per cent of current Australian orders being fielded from prospective buyers with at least one HD in the garage.

In any case, the LiveWire sets a formidable foundation for Harley to begin its own electric revolution. In 2022, it is expected to be joined by another EV model, with drivetrain sharing sure to help lower overheads and costs.

Until then, the LiveWire does what any bona fide Harley Davidson ought to do. It makes a statement – a fun, proven and environmentally-conscious one at that.

The silent revolution is officially underway.

Specs: 2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire

MOTOR AND CHARGING
Type: Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Cooling: Water
Battery: Lithium Ion 12.8V
Charging: Onboard DC to DC
Charge range: City 235km, combined 158km

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 105hp (76kW)
Claimed maximum torque: 117Nm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Single speed
Final drive: Belt

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Cast aluminium
Front suspension: 43mm Showa upside-down fork, fully adjustable, 115mm travel
Rear suspension: Showa shock, fully adjustable, 115mm travel
Front brake: 300mm discs with Brembo radial mount four-piston calipers
Rear brake: Disc with twin-piston caliper
Wheels: Five-spoke cast aluminium
Tyres: Michelin Scorcher Sport – 120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Trail: 108mm
Rake: 24.5 degrees
Claimed on-road weight: 251kg
Seat height: 780mm (unladen)
Wheelbase: 1490mm

OTHER STUFF
Price: $49,995
Local availability: September, 2020
Local distributor: Harley-Davidson Australia
Warranty: Five years (battery)